Nothing But The Blood

• Philadelphia-born Robert Lowry was a Baptist minister and professor at Bucknell University who became known for his hymn writing while ministering in Brooklyn. “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus,” which he wrote in 1876, was one of his most popular gospel tunes.
• Robert Lowry wrote the hymn as a reminder of what truly saves us from sin: the blood that Christ shed for us on the cross. He repeats the title phrase 12 times to emphasize how “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus” can “make me whole again” and “makes me white as snow.”
• Lowry based the gospel song on Hebrews 9:22, which reads: “The law requires that nearly everything be cleansed and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.”

This mention of the shedding blood might offend the sensibilities of some, but it lies at the center of the Christian faith. There is no greater symbol of life than blood: blood keeps us alive.

In Old Testament times people sacrificed animals, which cleansed them from sin and made them ceremonially acceptable to God. But when Jesus, who offered himself unblemished to God, shed his blood on the cross, he obtained eternal redemption for us. Because his final, perfect sacrifice is infinitely more effective than animal sacrifices, no barrier of sin or weakness can stifle God’s forgiveness.
• Lowry is credited with the writing of over 500 hymns and was one of the first hymn writers to pen both the text and music. His other well-known compositions include “Low In The Grave He Lay,” “Shall We Gather at the River,” and “How Can I Keep from Singing?” Lowry also acted as music editor to Biglow and Main, the USA’s leading publisher of gospel and Sunday School music. Many of these collections were very popular; Pure Gold for the Sunday School, published in 1871, sold more than a million copies.
• “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus” was first popularized at a camp meeting in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. It has continued to be sung in churches to this present day, especially by those of an evangelical persuasion.
• The hymn was first recorded and released by the Metropolitan Trio in 1909. Some of the contemporary artists who have recorded versions of the gospel song include:

Matt Redman, who incorporated the hymn into his song “Nothing but the Blood,” heard on his 2004 live record Facedown.

Randy Travis covered the tune for his 2005 set Glory Train: Songs of Faith, Worship, and Praise.

Keith & Kristyn Getty recorded a version for their 2012 album, Hymns for the Christian Life.
• Carrie Underwood recorded the hymn for her 2021 My Savior album, which consists of covers of traditional gospel songs she grew up singing. Bear Rinehart of the Christian rock band Needtobreathe adds harmonies to her rendition.

The country star explains, as reported in Taste of Country, most versions of the hymn are “very kind of lopey” and stick to a traditional style; she, however, wanted to “kind of mess with it… really kind of put some tempo behind it and wanted to add these harmonies on it.”
Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus by Robert Lowry – Songfacts

1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

Chorus:
O precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

2. For my cleansing this I see
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
For my pardon this my plea
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

3. Nothing can for sin atone
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
Naught of good that I have done
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

4. This is all my hope and peace
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
This is all my righteousness
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
The final two verses[edit]
5. Now by this I’ll overcome
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
Now by this, I’ll reach my home
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

6. Glory! glory! thus I sing
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus
All my praise to this I bring
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.

Played on my Ratliff mandolin